Talks to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty fail

United Nations talks aimed at reaffirming the goals of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and disarmament failed on Friday, according to the head of the talks, after four weeks of negotiations held amid low expectations.

Conference president Do Hung Viet of Vietnam said: “Despite our utmost efforts... I have come to realize that the conference is not in a position to reach agreement on its substantive work,” adding: “I do not intend to put the document forward for adoption.”

Negotiators had been reviewing the treaty, the cornerstone of nuclear arms control, amid fears of a renewed arms race. Previous review conferences in 2015 and 2022 also ended in failure.

Experts noted that even in the absence of a review agreement for the third consecutive time, the treaty remains in force, though with diminished legitimacy.

Analyst Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group said before the outcome of the negotiations was announced: “The text is becoming less relevant to the reality of current conflicts and the risk of nuclear proliferation,” including in North Korea and Iran.

The latest version of the text seen by AFP on Friday merely stated that Tehran must “never” develop nuclear weapons.

The reference to Iran’s “non-compliance” with its obligations, which had appeared in the first draft of the declaration, was removed.

It also contained no expression of concern over North Korea’s nuclear program, nor even any mention of the “denuclearization” of the Korean Peninsula.

The direct call for the United States and Russia to begin negotiations on a treaty to replace New START — which limits the Russian and US arsenals and expired in February — also disappeared.

The precise reason for the failure of the review was not yet known.